India-Canada set to boost trade ties, nuke commerce

Toronto: India and Canada are set to boost
their economic ties, with the two nation in the final stages
of finalising a series of trade-related pacts, including
nuclear commerce and moving towards a free-trade agreement.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will visit Mumbai and
Delhi between November 15 and 18 and meet with Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh, sources said, adding that it is
intended to be a turning point in the trade relationship
between the two nations.

Last week, India`s Commerce Secretary Rahul Kullar met
in Ottawa with Trade Minister Stockwell Day and other top
officials and signalled that after years of little progress,
India was seeking real advances in trade.

A long-awaited deal on investment, an agreement on
energy exchanges, and an accord that allows Canada`s nuclear
industry to sell to India are expected within about a month,
according to a press release issued by the Indian High
Commission.

It said Khullar visit would strengthen and would lead
to start the long process toward a broader free-trade
agreement. At least some of those agreements, like an accord
for greater co-operation on energy exchanges, are expected to
be signed during Harper`s visit, Globe and Mail said today.